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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest …”)

St. Nicholas, the Angel and the Devil

Have you ever seen three mysterious characters walking the streets of Czech and Slovak cities on December 5th? It most likely was St. Nicholas (Mikulas), the devil (cert) and the angel (andel). These characters are part of the holiday called “Mikulas” and it is known in many places in Europe. These three characters visit Czech and Slovak children on the eve of Saint Nicholas Day and give them either sweets or a sack of gifts from the devil

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Clanek v CESTINE dole

(Dark Blue Wold) Tmavomodry Svet

Don’t forget to check out our events for December 2008. Our list is growing every day and we recommend visiting this page frequently. CLICK HERE.

Did we miss your event? Please, let us know HERE.

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Nezapomente se podivat na nase akce v prosinci 2008. Nas rejstrik akci roste kazdym dnem, a proto doporucujeme navstevovat tuto stranku opakovane. KLIKNETE ZDE.

Zapomneli jsme na vasi akci? Prosim, dejte nam vedet ZDE.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na ”Read the rest …”) 

On Saturday, November 22^nd, Vaclav Havel was written into the history of Slovakia. That day the Slovak National Theater presented his new play Odchazeni (Leaving). Havel’s last plays were introduced in Slovakia more than 40 years ago. The theater also could have been the first place in the world to introduce this play, but ultimately it was premiered in Prague first. Havel’s play was also unique in a way since the author started writing it before the Velvet Revolution in 1989, but completing it just last year (2007). Odchazeni was not only interesting for its creative development throughout Havel’s life, its own story with a political focus, but also the circumstances under which it was presented to the public.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest …”)
 

Many of you living in the United States probably know that Macy’s is celebrating 150 years in business. However, how many of you know that the Czech Parliamentary Library (CPL) I celebrating the same anniversary just today? Its oldest document is dated to November 24, 1858. The CPL is located at the premises of the Czech Parliament Chamber and is the oldest administrative center of the House of Czech Parliament. Its electronic version also lets you to see documents from any part of the world in the form of text, images and also sounds. If you are interested in the history and political data of Czechoslovakia, it is worth your visit.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest …”)

The New Year is approaching and you may notice that all grocery stores are filled with different goodies and alcoholic beverages to help us say farewell to the 2008 year and to welcome the arrival of the new year of 2009. If you live in New York you can buy a new brand of vodka that is manufactured in Slovakia. This Vodka has won two prizes: for its appearance, but also for its unique flavor. The vodka is called Double Cross Luxury Vodka and it is the only Slovak vodka that has entered the United States markets.

 
When the American entrepreneurs were looking for a producer of this vodka they intended to find somebody in Eastern Europe. They looked in Poland and the Czech Republic, but they chose the Slovak Republic. Here they met Dr. Jan Krak, who was a master of distillation. They decided to collaborate with him on the proposal for a new product, which was to be sold around the world.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest …”)

Here we have the first feedback from the celebration of the 19th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in California. Czechs and Slovaks met in San Diego on the beach to a pleasant evening full of music (including guitars and a banjo), food, drinks and interesting conversations. Comfortable weather in California did not call for warm clothing and a large bonfire only added to a pleasant environment. People roasted almost everything: bread, bagels, bacon, American and Polish sausages and more. There was more than enough wood, thus, even children had their own fire for their entertainment.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest …”)

Today we celebrate 19 years since the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. Many times we have mentioned the name “Sametova revoluce - Velvet Revolution.” In Slovakia it is known as the Nezna revoluce - Soft revolution” and the name is probably a better explanation of this revolution, which was peaceful, thus, it was not necessary to use armed forces. Maybe you wonder how the citizens of the Czech Republic and Slovakia celebrated this day, the 17^th of November. Many citizens celebrated this day with pleasure and enjoyment, but unfortunately, celebrations in both countries did not go without protests as well.

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest of the entry”)

The current President of the United States George W. Bush, has been actively involved in the abolition of U.S. visas for Czech and Slovak citizens. In January 2009, he will be replaced by Barack Obama. According to Ceske Noviny article, Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, said that he wants to visit the USA and personally say goodbye to him. He will do so either this year or early next year.

Last week Topolanek had to cancel his trip to the United States because of political tensions in the Czech Parliament. But now he does not plan to cancel this trip. It will be probably his first time flying to the USA without the visa requirement.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest of this entry”)

In our last article we mentioned that the Czech government has pledged 10 million crowns in the regeneration of the Cedar Rapids Czech Village, Iowa. Last week, Czech Ambassador Petr Kolar visited Cedar Rapids to pass on financial support from the Czech Republic in the value of $ 583,780. That moment was very important for everybody in the city, because it will help in returning the Czech village to its original condition.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest of this entry”)

Every year, on the 2^nd of November, the Czechs and Slovaks celebrate Dusicky a.k.a. Pamatka zesnulych (All Souls’ Day) by putting candles by graves of their loved ones.  All Souls’ Day is celebrated after All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1), and it was introduced by a French abbot Odilio. This holiday, however, is much older. It dates back from the Celtic tradition of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when our world blends with the world of souls. That night people placed candles by their houses so the souls of the dead could find their ways to them.

All Souls’ Day is celebrated around the world, but in different forms. In the United States, Australia, Ireland, etc., is celebrated under the name Halloween. The name was taken from the original name All Hallow’s Even, and was founded in the 19th century. People in the countries named above believe that on this night, the human world and the world of souls connect and the dead walk freely on Earth in forms of skeletons, mummies, etc., and therefore people wear costumes to blend with them. Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Clanek v CESTINE dole (Kliknete na “Read the rest of this entry”)

Have you seen the film All My Loved Ones? If so, you could see Sir Nicholas Winton. Sir Nicholas George Winton, born 19th May 1909, saved 669 Czechoslovak Jewish children from death in the World War II. The operation was known as “Kindertransport.”

Winton had a special relationship with the Jewish children because he was a Jew, who was baptized and raised a Christian. While Winton saved many children, he never applauded himself for this act or shared details about this operation. His wife actually found detailed information on the Kindertransport late in the 90s.

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Clanek v CESTINE dole.

On October 17, 2008 President George W. Bush announced that the Czech Republic would be among seven nations to be added to the Visa Waiver program. Czech citizens will finally be able to travel to the US without a Visa by simply registering online ahead of their planned trip. The waiver should go into effect within a month (towards the end of November 2008).

The newly admitted members to the program (which previously was available to 27 nations) are:

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